FORMER Cleethorpes-area fishermen are pleased to see a vandalised area of the Fishermen's Memorial has been repaired but have called for alternative solutions to help protect it.
Damage to the iconic statue was spotted by Lord John Prescott during a visit to the town to seek voters' support for the forthcoming election to choose a new police crime commissioner.
Community worker John Stockton, who believes skateboarders were responsible for the damage, has called for a fence to be erected around the memorial in St James' Square, Grimsby.
However, ex-fishermen said the idea would ruin the purpose of the memorial, as people visit to lay flowers at its base.
Dennis Avery, 70, of Humberston, worked at sea for more than 20 years, including eight years on the Ross Tiger.
He believes a fence would spoil the look of the memorial and alternatives such as banning skateboarders from the area should be examined.
He said: "If John Stockton is correct and it is skateboarders who have caused this damage, then they should be sent elsewhere.
"Putting up a fence has got to be a last resort really.
"Now the floor has been fixed I hope people will respect it and stay away unless they have an interest to be near it.
"I believe any vandalism does come down to respect and these days some people have none.
"It is like the incident with The Boy with the Leaking Boot. People just do not know how much these things mean to others – they have no idea of how harsh the fishing industry was.
"It was upsetting to hear the tiles were broken but I am glad it is now all restored.
Jim Greene, 74, of Cleethorpes, said he believed the memorial should never have been put in Top Town in the first place.
The former fisherman added: "A more suitable place would have been on the roundabout just before you come into Grimsby over the flyover.
"That way everyone could see it and there would be nobody going near it."
Jim, who began fishing at the age of 15, says a fence would not do much good and now that the vandalised area has been fixed, nothing more needs to be done.
He said: "To me and for many others, the memorial helps us to remember all the lives lost at sea.
"A fence would hide its features and what is stopping people from going over it.
"It was a shame the tiles got damaged but they have been repaired to a good standard thanks to the council."
Mr Stockton, who came up with the idea of the fence, said he had reprimanded one youth for banging his skateboard on the base of the memorial.
"The memorial means so much to people. My younger brother Thomas was lost at sea in 1974," he said.
Deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Mick Burnett, said: "We said we would fix it and we have.
"The memorial is an important part of Grimsby and important to all the fishermen who worked hard out at sea.
"Making sure it remains in great condition is vital.
"It was sad to see it vandalised but it is now fully restored."
